Pla Pao (Grilled Fish with Salt crust)
Pla Pao is a healthy and flavorful Thai dish that features a whole fish grilled with a salt crust. This cooking method allows the fish to retain its natural juices, keeping it moist without the need for extra fat. The fish is often served with fresh herbs and vegetables, making it a balanced meal full of healthy fats, protein, and fiber. Tilapia or snapper can be used in this recipe. This dish is gluten-free and dairy-free, making it suitable for many dietary preferences. However, people with a
Allergen Information: Contains Fish
Nutrition Facts
Per serving
Energy
53 kcal
Protein
10 g
Carbs
2 g
Fat
1 g
Fiber
0 g
Ingredients
Tilapia
200 gms (200g)
Fresh Mint (chopped)
2 tbsp (6g)
Fresh cilantro (chopped)
1 tbsp (10g)
Soy sauce
2 tsp (10g)
Common salt
0.5 tsp (2.5g)
Clove Garlic, Chopped
1 tsp (5g)
Rice Vinegar
1 tbsp (15g)
lemon juice
1 tbsp (15g)
Brown sugar
1 tsp (5g)
Thai Chili Pepper
2 tsp (4g)
Instructions
Cooking Steps
Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
Rinse the fish and pat it dry with paper towels.
In a bowl, mix together the sea salt, chopped garlic, and sliced chili peppers until well combined.
Spread a layer of the salt mixture on the bottom of a baking dish or sheet pan.
Place the fish on top of the salt mixture and cover it completely with the remaining salt mixture, pressing it down firmly to create a crust.
Place the fish on the grill and cook for 20-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the fish is cooked through.
Remove the fish from the grill and carefully crack open the salt crust.
Remove the skin and bones from the fish and transfer it to a serving platter.
Drizzle the fish with fish sauce (soy sauce+ vinegar+ salt)and lime juice, and sprinkle with fresh cilantro and mint leaves.
Serve with lime wedges.
Community Reviews & Results
Gouri Dev Chauhan
"Tried this earlier today, and Pla Pao (Grilled Fish with Salt crust) fits my dietary needs perfectly without feeling like compromise food. The texture was amazingly soft, aromatic, and very satisfying. A must-try dish on your wellness journey."
Sonam Dev Verma
"My dietitian recently added this to my plan, and I'm really happy with how easy and practical it was to prepare. The ingredient ratio is spot on, giving it a rich and authentic taste. Will definitely keep this in my regular rotation. (Ref #798)"
Kartik Nath Menon
"My dietitian recently added this to my plan, and the step-by-step instructions made cooking completely seamless. The ingredient ratio is spot on, giving it a rich and authentic taste. Will be making this again very soon."
Sneha Rani Chauhan
"Prepped this during a busy workday, and preparing this Pla Pao (Grilled Fish with Salt crust) was completely hassle-free. The clean ingredients made a noticeable difference in overall freshness. Will definitely keep this in my regular rotation."